Privatization of education in Iran: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats: case study( Evaluation of the Educational services purchase plan in primary schools)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Alireza Molaie ¹
• afsaneh kalbasi ²
• shahla zahabioun ³

¹ Master of Elementary Education. Farhangian University. Isfahan. Iran.

² Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Sciences. Farhangian University. Tehran. Iran

³ Lecturer, Department of Educational Sciences, Farhangian University. Isfahan. Iran.

10.30495/jedu.2023.28502.5720

Abstract

Introduction: Privatization is a form of minimal state intervention in many nations since the 1980s. When management and delivery of public education is pened to private, for-profit entities, we have the privatization of public education. This study aimed to evaluate the plan to purchase educational services as one of the privatization methods in primary schools based on the SWOT model.
research methodology: The research method was mixed and exploratory. The statistical population in both qualitative and quantitative sections, respectively, included 18 primary education experts in the education districts of Isfahan, and all teachers implementing the plan to purchase educational services in the six districts of Isfahan, 270. The number of samples in the qualitative section was equal to the number of population and in the quantitative section was 154 people who were  selected according to Krejcie and Morgan table by stratified random sampling.The  research tools in the qualitative part included an interview and in the quantitative part a researcher-made questionnaire. The validity of the interview and questionnaire was confirmed by the 5 education specialists. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined  by Cronbach's alpha method with a coefficient of 0.87. The data obtained from the interview  were  analyzed using the Strauss-Corbin paradigm model and the Friedman test was used to analyze the data obtained from the questionnaire.
Findings: Employing young force, saving budgets and higher education of teachers are strengths and not paying attention to the growth and professional development of teachers, lack of employment criteria and non-payment of salaries on time are important weaknesses of this plan. The growth of entrepreneurial culture, private sector participation and the reduction of government ownership in education are among the opportunities created and the lack of legal policies, the lack of clear regulations by legislators, and job insecurity of teachers are the most important threats.
Conclusion: privatization has been helpful in primary education. However it has created a range of ethical, political and educational problems that cannot be overlooked.

Keywords

• Privatization
• Evaluation
• Educational services purchase plan
• Primary schools
• SWOT Model

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